Fregola ai frutti di mare

Fregola or fregula is a pasta variety from Sardinia, made with semolina flour and water. The dough is first rolled into very thick spaghetti, then cut to resemble enlarged couscous pieces, and it is finally toasted in the oven, which is why it has a slightly nutty flavor. Fregola is most often paired with seafood and cooked like a risotto. For this dish, it is slowly simmered in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, and the freshest mixed seafood, soaking up all the juices released during the cooking process. Most often, clams or mussels are used in the dish. It can be prepared in two versions - rosso or bianco, that is with or without tomatoes.